Scientists have recorded a shift in the rotation axis of the Earth’s crust

Human activity has affected the movement of the Earth’s magnetic poles. This is stated by scientists from Harvard University.

The study showed that the construction of almost 7 thousand large dams around the world redistributed the mass of water.

Because of this, the axis of rotation of the Earth’s crust has shifted about a meter relative to the internal magnetic dynamo. The study is published in Geophysical Research.

The accumulation of water in reservoirs not only changed the mass balance on the Earth’s surface, but also caused a 21-millimeter drop in global sea level.

Water trapped behind the dams, as if “tugged” the rotating shell of the planet, which led to a change in the position of the North Pole on the surface of the Earth.

Scientists note that the real magnetic north in space did not change, but the planet’s crust itself shifted, creating the effect of so-called true polar wandering.

Built dams have already kept about a quarter of the sea level rise in the XXI century – about 1.2 millimeters per year, which partially compensates for the effects of climate change.

Specialists emphasize: when assessing future sea level changes and magnetic pole dynamics, the impact of such engineering projects must be taken into account.

And the location and size of new reservoirs can significantly change these processes.